Unit 7

Word

Definition

Example

time management

the ability to use one's time effectively or productively, especially at work

Effective time management is the key to a stress-free life

allot

to decide officially to give something to someone or to use something for a particular purpose

They allotted a separate desk to everyone

certain

having no doubt or knowing exactly that something is true, or known to be true, correct, exact or effective

Are you certain you saw her?

predict

to say what you think will happen

I'm good at predicting market trends

maximise efficiency

to increase the quality of being able to do a task successfully, without wasting time or energy

We discussed ways to maximise efficiency within our project

ensure

to make sure or certain; insure

We will ensure that your order arrives on time

production target

the budgeted amount of the production

Our production target is unlikely to be met

deadline

the latest time or date by which something should be completed

He failed to meet the deadline

identify

establish or indicate who or what (someone or something) is

Put in your username and password to identify yourself

key priority

the most important thing you have to do or deal with, or must be done or dealt with before everything else you have to do

Cutting costs is our key priority now

schedule

to plan that something will happen at a particular time

It is good to work with a flexible schedule

prioritise

to put things in the order of importance so that you can deal with the most important things first

Try to prioritise your work

urgent

requiring immediate action or attention

I have an urgent call I must take immediately

lengthy

(especially in reference to time) of considerable or unusual length, especially so as to be tedious

An accident is causing some lengthy delays

duty

a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility

She was determined to do her duty as a citizen

high-priority

important and needing to be done or dealt with quickly

High-priority tasks are marked with red

hinder

To be or get in the way of. To obstruct or delay the progress of. To interfere with action or progress

They cannot hinder the investigation of corruption offences

contactable

able to be communicated with, especially by phone or email

I am contactable from 9 am

work hours

any of the hours of a day during which work is done

Please don't call me outside work hours

expectation

what you expect to happen or what you expect something to be like

The event didn't live up to my expectations

unsociable hours

unusual hours that cause one to work when other people are spending time together

My friend is a real workaholic and never refuses unsociable hours

overtime

(time spent working) after the usual time needed or expected in a job

In order to meet a deadline he will work overtime

distraction

a thing that prevents someone from concentrating on something else

Try and avoid unnecessary distractions

waste time

to not make good use of the hours, etc. that you have available

I waste so much time using the internet!

resolve

to make a formal decision, usually after a discussion and a vote at a meeting

The crisis was resolved by negotiations

particular

specific

I want to see that particular film

checklist

a list that helps you by reminding you of the things you need to do or get for a particular job or activity

I made a checklist of things I needed to do before a holiday

to-do list

a list of jobs you have to do

What jobs are on your to-do list?

on time

happening or done at the particular moment that it was expected to happen or be done

She is always on time

ahead of time

earlier than the time when something happens, should be done etc

Being prepared with appropriate graphics ahead of time is a great policy

measure

to find the size, length, or amount of something, using standard units such as inches, metres etc

He has to take measures as soon as possible

out of time

at the wrong time or period

Otherwise, someone will say again that we ran out of time

allocate

to decide officially that a particular amount of money, time, etc. should be used for a particular purpose

Du Pont has allocated funds for the design of four plants

occasional

not happening or done often or regularly

We send the occasional message to each other

at first

used to talk about the beginning of a situation, especially when it is different now

But I was a skeptic at first as all my friends were telling me watch the movie

from time to time

occasionally

These food safety scares happen from time to time

put off

to delay doing something or to arrange to do something at a later time or date, especially because there is a problem or you do not want to do it now

He put off our meeting yesterday, because he was too busy

overwhelm

bury or drown beneath a huge mass of something, especially water

We were overwhelmed by the number of applications

unforeseen

not anticipated or predicted

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the play has been cancelled